Cornfields & Chemistry: Falling for Iowa - Your Guide to Iowa Love Stories

Devin Joubert
Jul 14
3 min read

Updated: Jul 16

Next stop on the Romance Reading Roadtrip: Iowa 🌽💕

Welcome to the land of golden fields and heart-thumping feels! Grab your favorite flannel, cozy up with a maple-sweet love story, and let the slow burn of small-town romance sweep you off your feet. In Iowa, love doesn’t just grow—it blooms. 🌾📚💛

Welcome to IOWA!

Welcome to Iowa!

Where the cornfields are endless—and so is the potential for a meet-cute at the farmers market.

In Iowa, romance doesn’t need a big-city skyline. It blooms between rows of sweet corn, flutters during sunset drives down gravel roads, and lingers in the pause before a kiss at the county fair.

Whether it’s a tractor pull or a town-wide potluck, Iowa proves you don’t need fireworks for sparks to fly—just someone who brings you coffee and remembers how you like your pie.

Every state has its love stories—but there’s something about Iowa that makes certain tropes feel extra grounded, golden, and deeply heartfelt. Maybe it’s the quiet strength of its small towns, the endless stretch of cornfields glowing at sunset, or the way time seems to slow down on a front porch made for two. Whatever the reason, these tropes don’t just work in Iowa—they belong here.

Small-town charm
Friends to lovers
Farmer/city girl romance
Harvest festival kisses
Secret crush at the county fair

Let's Meet Our Authors From Iowa!

This page will be updated with videos when they publish on YouTube.

Anna Hawke

We are spotlightng Anna's book Against Immortal Sins.

With our spice guide, this is a one pepper chili pepper - nice, but with spice. Anna described it as three chili peppers in the closed door spice rating. See our spice guide here.

N.F. Schmitt-

N.F. Schmitt is the author of A Kingdom of Promises & Lies. It's open door. Schmitt said that depending on what people like it is anywhere between 2-5 chili peppers. So this book will fall into our two chili pepper rating since it's open door.

Esha Patel -

Esha is the author of Offtrack. When asked about the spice rating, Esha mentioned, "It's got one or two open door scenes, I usually go one or two chili peppers out of five."

The Covers

Aren't these beautiful covers? Oh em gee... I love them!

Fun Things to See in Iowa

Charming Small Towns –

🏡 Decorah, IA – Nestled in the Driftless region, it’s got scenic charm, cozy cafés, Norwegian flair, and a dreamy riverwalk.

🍦 Pella, IA – Windmills, tulip festivals, and Dutch pastries—like a romance novel set in a mini European town.

📚 Winterset, IA – Home of the famous covered bridges (hello, *Bridges of Madison County*) and the John Wayne birthplace. Classic and cinematic.

Nature & Scenic Romance –

🌾 Loess Hills Scenic Byway – Rolling, wave-like hills unlike anywhere else in the Midwest—perfect for golden hour drives.

🌻 Ledges State Park – Sandstone cliffs, winding trails, and a peaceful stream—ideal for a couple’s hike or a reading nook in nature.

🌅 Lake Okoboji – One of Iowa’s Great Lakes with water activities by day and lakeside cuddles by night.

🕯️ Maquoketa Caves State Park – Secret tunnels, dramatic caves, and mossy magic. Bring a flashlight—and maybe a hand to hold.

Unique Attractions –

🎡 Iowa State Fair (Des Moines) – Butter cows, giant corn dogs, and Ferris wheel kisses. August never looked so sweet.

🌻 Field of Dreams Movie Site (Dyersville) – “If you build it, they will come”…especially for a slow-burn romance on a baseball field.

🚜 American Gothic House (Eldon) – Snap a quirky couples photo at this iconic backdrop and explore the museum next door.

💌 Don't Forget Your Romance Reading Passport!

You can get it here for free. Follow along on the journey as we travel through the midwest on the Romance Reading Roadtrip! You'll also find ways to win some pretty flirty and fun books and bookish items in the Passport, so make sure to download it! :)